Food Preparation Worker salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Food Preparation Workers in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn a median of $40,140 a year ($19.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,680 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $38,900. There are 7.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,900, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,580 | $16.62 |
| 25th percentile | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Median | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| 75th percentile | $40,430 | $19.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Average (mean) | $39,900 | $19.18 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,345 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,672.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,543.85 |
| Weekly | $771.92 |
| Hourly | $19.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $39,660 | 9,630 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $38,660 | 670 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $36,930 | 310 |
| Worcester, MA | $36,550 | 1,390 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $36,250 | 3,870 |
| Springfield, MA | $36,020 | 810 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,350 | $16.52 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,520 | $22.36 |
| Bartender | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Dishwasher | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,250 | $16.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,830 | $16.74 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area is $40,140 a year, or $19.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn at least $47,680 a year. The top 25% earn $40,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,580 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $36,610 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
About 510 food preparation workers are employed in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.